The AF-17 Diamond Back is one of the newest and most advanced designs to emerge from Archangel Heavy Industries (AHI). It is a high speed fighter designed to be capable of intercepting and eliminating hostile targets before they can get within range of their own weapon systems.
Several factors contributed to the need for a high performance interceptor.
The primary factor was the recent increased aggression of the C.S. This,
coupled with new fighter designs introduced by the C.S., Iron Heart Armaments,
and others, caused Gabriel Defense Force officials to commission the design
of a completely new interceptor/fighter.
AHI scientists and engineers decided that the primary focus should be on speed and striking power. These could come at the expense of armored protection. To accomplish these goals, the scientists incorporated as many of the latest advances as possible.
Engine power is provided by two Raptor class thermonuclear turbines, each capable of producing 88,000 lbf (40,000 kgf) of thrust. This enormous power enables the Diamond Back to reach speeds of up to mach 4.8, far outperforming all other known fighters of the same class. Though somewhat close, this is not enough velocity to achieve even low-level orbit. Furthermore, the AF-17's engines are partially air-breathing and air-cooled and would cease to function without an atmosphere. Therefore, the Diamond Back is incapable of sub-orbital flight, much less breaching earth's atmosphere.
Several weapon systems were used to supply a variety of engagement options. A high-powered particle beam weapon was installed for dog-fighting and two different missile systems were provided to counter both long-ranged and close-in threats.
A number of other innovations were also incorporated into the design. These include passive stealth systems, variable geometry wings, vectored thrust engines, and an increased visibility cockpit system. Perhaps one of the most important features was an enhancement to the standard targeting and tracking system. The new system allows both the tracking and engaging of multiple targets simultaneously. The pilot of the Diamond Back can target missiles from the same volley at more than one target. This makes the fighter extremely effective at quickly eliminating multiple threats.
Like other AHI products, the Diamond Back is a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capable aircraft. This means that they can operate as part of a forward base with an unimproved airfield and still provide long-ranged interception and defense. The vectored thrust and incredible lift capabilities of the variable geometry wings also allow the AF-17 to perform VSTOL (Very Short Take-Off and Landing) with full combat loads. This method requires a runway less than 150 ft (45.7 m) long. However, the VTOL thrusters are not quite as powerful as the designers had originally hoped. This has the result that the plane is not able to perform a vertical take off with a full combat load. Vertical take offs are only possible at reduced combat loads. (GM: reduce missile or bomb loads to two-thirds normal: 4 long- or 8 medium-ranged missiles and 14 short-ranged missiles.)
(Author's Note: I designed this fighter to try to be realistic. You'll probably notice that the main body MDC is quite low in comparison to other fighters from the books. In my opinion, fighters should not be flying tanks. Their main defense is their speed and maneuverability. This craft was designed with that philosophy and mentality in mind. However, if you play in games where the MDC of other fighters has not been reduced to be realistic, the main body of this fighter should be more. For such games, I suggest adding 200 MDC to the main body, for a total of 445 MDC.)
Model Type: AF-17 Diamond Back
Class: Military VTOL Interceptor/Air Superiority Fighter
Manufacturer: Archangel Heavy Industries
Crew: One or two; Pilot and optional Navigation/Sensor/Weapon Officer.
MDC by location:
[1] Nose Cannon Port(1) - 60
[1] Retractable Landing Gear(3) - 60
[1] Retractable AAM Launchers(2) - 80
[2] Wings(2) - 200
[1] Vectored Thrust Engines(2) - 175
VTOL Thrusters(3) - 100
Reinforced Pilot's Compartment - 100
[3] Main Body - 245
Notes
1. Each of these items is small and/or difficult
to strike. Any attacks must be called shots and are -3 to strike.
2. Destruction of one or more wings will cause the
fighter to lose flight capability. The pilot must immediately make a piloting
roll at -15% or completely lose control of the craft; depending on the
altitude, there may or may not be sufficient time to recover the craft.
Once control is regained, the pilot must make an emergency landing immediately
at -10% to his piloting skill. If control is not recovered, the emergency
landing is at -35%.
3. Depleting the MDC of the main body effectively
destroys the craft.
Speed
Flying: Hover stationary up to a maximum speed of Mach 4.8 (roughly
3240 mph / 5215 kph) with up to two-thirds combat load. Full combat loads
will reduce the top speed to Mach 4.0.
Flying Range: Effectively unlimited with periodic cooling stops.
The craft will need to rest for 2 hours after traveling at over 50% engine
output for more than 20 hours.
Maximum Altitude: 150,000 ft (45,720 m) , or almost 28.5 miles.
The Diamond Back is capable of reaching it's maximum altitude in just under
one minute.
Statistical Data
Height: 12 ft (3.66 m) to top of tails, 15 ft (4.57 m) with gear
down.
Width: 45 ft (13.7 m)
Length: 52 feet (15.8 m)
Weight: 10 tons (9070 kg) empty, 35 ton (31,750 kg) maximum takeoff
weight. Normal full combat load takeoff weight is around 20 tons (18,140
kg).
Cargo: A small area that holds 2 suits of armor. Also, each ejection
seat holds a standard aircrew survival
kit, a break-apart assault rifle, and five grenades.
Color: Typically light grey, dark grey, dark blue, military green,
camouflage, or Midnight Black.
Power System: Nuclear, average energy life is 20+ years.
Cost: 43 million credits.
Special Systems
- Nose Particle Beam Cannon (1): This is a powerful and surprisingly long-ranged weapon for its type. It is intended to be used for dog-fighting where missiles are much less effective. The weapon is housed internally with no protruding parts to hinder aerodynamics. However, it does have a transparent firing port which if damaged severely enough (deplete MDC), will cause the weapon to be unable to fire.
- Internal Ordinance Bay (1): The Diamond Back possesses an internal bay which is capable of carrying a variety of ordinance. However, the bay is almost always used to carry missiles. There are six hard-points within the bay. Each hard-point can mount either one long-range missile or two medium-range missiles. The choice and mix of medium- and long-ranged missiles depends upon the mission.
- Air-to-Air Retractable Missile Launchers (2): A retractable missile bay is located on the outside of each air intake just forward of the landing gear housing. These bays hold short-ranged air-to-air missiles for defense against enemies and can fire both forward and to the rear.
- Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser(1): This is located in the tail of the craft. When tailed by missiles, clouds of chaff and flares are released to confuse or detonate the missiles. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. (The system uses the same effects as the TRIAX(TM) model.)
- Standard Equipment: Long-range communication, radar, and radar tracking same as robot vehicles plus the following:
- Enhanced Radar: Can Identify and simultaneously track up to 100 different targets. Range: 500 miles (800 km).
- Enhanced Targeting System: Together with the enhanced radar, this allows the Diamond Back to simultaneously engage up to 8 different targets. This means that missiles can be targeted and fired at up to 8 enemies during the same action. Whenever volleys are fired, it must be specified whether it is at a single target or at multiple targets. To designate multiple targets, a successful Weapon Systems skill roll must be made. This takes one action for every two targets designated; half as long if the second crew member is the one designating. The enhanced targeting system also infers a +2 to strike with missile attacks and +3 to strike with particle beam cannon.
- Increased Visibility Cockpit: The Diamond Back uses a special holographic and digital display system within the cockpit to allow the pilot to see what is below, to the sides, and to some extent, what is to the rear of him. This is an incredible advance over conventional cockpits, providing a much larger area of visibility. When active, this system imparts a +1 to dodge and initiative rolls in addition to any other bonuses.
- Variable Geometry Wings: The wings are designed to automatically reconfigure to more suitable positions depending both the velocity and maneuvering of the plane. This is a more advanced version of the pre-Rifts "swing-wing" type aircraft. This results in the Diamond Back being very stable at all times and being capable of performing more radical or extreme maneuvers than would normally be possible. Add +1 to dodge and +5% to all piloting related rolls while in flight.
- Vectored Thrust Engines: The engine systems use a feature known as vectored thrust. This means that the engine thrust output can be "vectored" or deflected in different directions independently of each other. The result is an ability to perform very tight turns and precise maneuvers. Add +1 to dodge and +5% to all piloting related rolls while in flight. (Note: this is not the same system as the VTOL thrusters.)
- Passive Stealth System: The Diamond Back is equipped with a low-level passive stealth system. It is partially constructed with radar absorbent materials and special curved blendings of the airframe structure. These help reduce the radar signature of the plane. These features provide a constant +2 to initiative rolls and -30% to detection as long as the plane is functional.
- Life Support and G-Force Suit: Pilots of the Diamond Back wear standard-issue GDF flight suits. These provide not only an independent air supply for the pilot, but both the upper and lower g-suit promote blood circulation even during high-G maneuvers, thus decreasing the possibility of pilot black- or brownouts.
- Pilot Ejection System: The AF-17 contains a standard
ejection system. Each crew member is ejected individually from the fighter.
Each ejection seat contains a standard aircrew survival
kit, a break-apart assault rifle, and five grenades.
- Optional Second Crew Member: If a second crew member is present, they can act as a navigator, sensor operator, and weapons officer. This person would normally perform all navigational duties, freeing the pilot to fly or fight. As a sensor operator, the second member can devote more time and resources to the task as well as having better equipment at their disposal. When performing as a weapons officer, the second member has access to the controls of both missile systems. They normally control the long- or medium-range missiles while the pilot retains control of the gun and air-to-air missiles.
- Combat Bonuses:
- 3 attacks per melee plus those of pilot
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, five, eight, and eleven.
- +2 to initiative
- +1 to strike
- +3 to dodge (+0 to dodge at speeds above Mach 3)
- 1 attack per melee plus those of pilot
- Add one additional action/attack at levels three, six, ten, and fourteen.
- +1 to initiative
- +1 to dodge (-2 to dodge at speeds above Mach 3)
Range: 6000 feet (1800 m)
Damage: 1D6x10+20 MD
Rate of Fire: Single
Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
These missiles are typically used to engage targets at long range. The Diamond Back is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously (see Standard Equipment).
It is also possible to carry bombs or even cargo (though the last would be a very inefficient use).
Range: (Use new missile/bomb tables).
Missiles: Varies with type.
Bombs: About half a mile (0.8 km) from the drop site.
Damage: (Use new missile/bomb tables).
Missiles: Varies with type.
Bombs: Varies with type.
Rate of Fire:
Missiles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, (12)
Bombs: 1, 2, 4, 6, 12
Payload: 6 long-ranged or 12 medium-ranged missiles (or a combination), or 12 bombs instead of missiles.
Notes:
Bombs: Striking depends on bomb type. Use new missile/bomb tables.
Range: Varies with type. (Use new missile/bomb air-to-air tables).
Damage: Varies with type; usually High Explosive or Fragmentation are carried. (Use new missile/bomb air-to-air tables).
Rate of Fire: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Payload: 10 each, 20 total.
Effects: roll percentile dice to determine results.
Percentile Roll Effect 01-50
Enemy missile or missile volley detonates due to the chaff or flare - the threat is over. 51-75
Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in the wrong direction (may lock onto another nearby aircraft). 76-00
No effect! Missiles still on target!! Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares
Navigation: +10% to all navigation rolls, and calculations take half as long.
Sensors: +3 (or 10% as appropriate) to any sensor rolls.
Weapons: + 2 to strike with missiles and +10% to Weapon Systems rolls. This precludes any AF-17 pilot training, but is in addition to any bonuses granted from special systems.
AF-17 Diamond Back Advanced Combat Training: These are the bonuses for pilots specializing in the AF-17 Diamond Back. (Bonuses do not include those listed in Standard Equipment above.)
Basic Fighter Combat Training: These are the bonuses for pilots without special training in the AF-17 Diamond Back. (Bonuses do not include those listed in Standard Equipment above.)